Phillies Memories

Every game in a short baseball series is important, but today’s Phillies-Giants game – much like Monday night’s Rangers-Yankees game – will be particularly crucial with the series tied 1-1.

I’m not sure any of us need an extra enthusiasm boost, but I decided to throw a question out there for all you Phillies fans: What was your most memorable moment at a Phillies game?

I’ll share mine to prime the pump:

Oct. 21, Game Five of the 1993 World Series at Veterans Stadium. The Phillies trail 3-1 to the Toronto Blue Jays after losing a 15-14 heartbreaker – blowing a 14-9 lead -- the night before. Ace Curt Schilling takes the mound for the Phils.

A friend from work offered me a ticket, requiring only that I drive him to the game. We arranged to meet at a shopping center just off the Blue Route, but he got caught in some kind of traffic jam and showed up more than an hour late for our rendezvous. Then we got caught in traffic on I-95 and didn’t get to the stadium until gametime.

He thoughtfully had me drop him off there before I went looking for a parking spot. I sprinted from the car to my seat, arriving out of breath in the second inning.

In short, the night got off to a terrible start.

But from there on, it was magic. This was the only World Series game I’ve ever attended, although I also was at a playoff game against the Dodgers in the ‘70s. The crowd was deafeningly loud for what turned out to be the last post-season game every played at the Vet, and Schilling really rose to the occasion. He pitched a five-hitter against the tough Jays lineup, and the Phils scored twice early and won 2-0 to keep their championship hopes alive.

Since attending a World Series was high on my bucket list, this one would have resonated with me forever, even if it hadn't turned out to be such a great game. I hope I get to repeat the experience some day. Actually, this year would be nice.

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We watch every Phillies game, but all the plays blur together in my mind. We enjoyed the game we attended in May when Jamie Moyer (47) pitched a shut out against the Braves.

The one firm memory was Aaron Rowand's fence slamming catch in 2006.

Posted By: Lu | Oct 19, 2010 1:14:04 PM

I will never forget the 6th game of the WS in 1980. Went there with my wife, good buddy and my dad. He snuck in a medicine bottle of scotch. Police on horses lined the stadium. Packed. Couldn't hear a thing. It was a catharsis for me having lived through the 1964 season.

Posted By: Greek | Oct 19, 2010 2:04:17 PM

I'll always regret that I was out in Ohio in 1980 and missed that season except the playoffs on TV. To me, that victory was the greatest moment in Phillies history.

Posted By: bill white | Oct 19, 2010 2:18:47 PM

My first game, in August 1957, took the train from Reading to Connie Mack, saw Robin Roberts retire the first 8 Braves and then Warren Spahn homered to left and the roof caved in. While I was out getting a hot dog Frank Torre fouled one off my grandfathers arm and it landed on my vacant seat. My father grabbed the ball and kept it all these years, giving it to me in 2009. I've attended about 300 games since and have never come close to getting another ball.

Posted By: DON | Oct 20, 2010 8:03:40 PM

That's a great story. I've never caught a ball, either in the majors or minors, although my wife was hit in the foot twice by foul balls this year at IronPigs games. She's like a magnet.

Posted By: bill white | Oct 21, 2010 11:13:21 AM

Thirty years ago tonight, the Phillies won the world series. I was watching from a lounge in my dorm at then-Allentown College and I'll never forget the excitement with all of the students carrying on.

My son is also a magnet at Iron Pigs games, but of a different variety. We always come home with a game ball, either from catching a foul or getting one tossed by a player between innings.